Automating Commerce: How European Retail Is Scaling Up Robotic Warehouses
Frankfurt, Tuesday, 8 September 2026.
Hai Robotics secured a historic deal deploying over 1,500 rack-climbing robots for a Dutch fulfillment center, capable of processing more than 24,000 totes hourly to counter persistent supply chain pressures.
Technical Specifications and Capacity
The newly announced fulfillment center in Hoofddorp, Netherlands, spans 30,000 m² and utilizes over 1,500 HaiPick Climb robots [1]. This configuration supports 1.2 million double-deep storage locations, designed to maximize density within the facility [1]. The system is engineered to achieve a throughput exceeding 24,000 totes per hour, addressing high-volume demands [1].
Market Context and Growth Projections
This deployment aligns with broader trends in the China Supply Chain Resilience Automation Market, valued at USD 12.46 billion in 2026 [2]. Forecasts indicate the market will reach USD 47.88 billion by 2035, representing a compound annual growth rate of 16.13% [2]. The total projected growth over this period amounts to 284.27 percent, highlighting significant expansion potential [2]. Inventory and warehouse management systems currently command a 20.61% share of this market [2].
Strategic Implications for Logistics
Peter Guan, General Manager at Hai Robotics EMEA, noted that the project reflects customer confidence in HaiPick Climb for strategic warehouse automation [1]. Hai Robotics, established in 2016, specializes in Automated Case-handling Mobile Robot systems that integrate with standard storage infrastructure [1]. The competitive landscape includes other key players such as Inovance Technology and Geek+, indicating a fragmented but growing sector [2]. Geopolitical factors and labor constraints continue to drive demand for such automation technologies across Europe and Asia [1][2].